cold air intakes....OPINIONS?

[ivesy]

I've been considering changing my standard filter for the likes of a K&N cone but then you come across all the jargon about cold air, then heatshields, then forcing cold air from the front through a tube etc.... it all seems to make sense but I'm wandering wat everyone else thinks, I've been looking at expensive alloy heatshields from america to go round a cone filter, then I saw this on ebay which is a sealed unit with a heat shield and air filter in one....please advise...Tom.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FILTER-KIT-bmw-1- ... 286.c0.m14

[daimlerman]

I have fitted a K@N panel filter to my 316i touring recently.I was suprised to note that my 'arse dyno' regestered a destinct improvement in pick up,throttle response and generaly better running.On the 2.7 Ihave had a K@N cone filter for some time,I folded up an alloy heatshield for it but the main difference seems to be an increase in induction noise.

[hongkongfuey]

imo go with pannel filter k@n/itg/piper etc, then sort out a cold air supply , i've put on a larger supply pipe from the air box to the back of the lights, and cut out the blocked off slats in the grill by the lights

[Alex]

panel filter in the original air box is best from what ive heard, and if you want a nice induction Roar drill the air box

[E30BeemerLad]

generally cone filters will lose you low down torque.

Inside the standard airbox there is a little trumpet and even removing that on my old 325 I noticed a difference in low down shove. (reduction)

Get a decent panel filter

[leeparkes]

I had a k&n cone filter with an induction hose and was told to ditch it and go with the standard air box,
just to test this theory i got a cheap paper panel filter and was suprised at the difference,it was more responsive and felt loads better,shelled out on a k&n panel filter and to be honest there isnt a fat lot of difference over the cheap eurogrots paper filter
the cone filter was terrible when the engine was hot, ie traffic,hot days etc
not sure if a heatshield would help
im missing the trumpet thingy inside my standard box,the search is on!

[eko]

I made a simple but effective shield to try and block some of the hot air getting into the filter.
Im thinking about extending the tubing and locating the filter behind the front brake duct/foglight location,should get plenty of cold feed down there.

Not the best pics but gives you an idea

[OBs]

[ivesy]

OBs you just made me laugh my f*ckin arse off..classic..

So...the general consensus is sod off the cone, stick to the pannel, drill the box for noise....
Could you elaborate on where to drill the box please Alex...cheers mate.

Thanks guys, think I'll ditch the cone idea then...did anyone look at the cold air sealed link thing on ebay?

[hongkongfuey]

don't drill the air box as it will suck in hot air from the engine bay

[E30BeemerLad]

Tony, be careful with the cold air intake down behind the foglight area, risky when it's wet and if you got it through a big puddle you could hydraulic the engine

[ShepsEvo3]

Leave the standard A/filter box alone and just replace the air filter with a standard new air filter. I've done tests on the dyno with several makes including panel filters and the best filters are the standard ones.. However, Sal from Evolve has seen some good results from the Carbon style airfilters he can supply.

[eko]

Tony, be careful with the cold air intake down behind the foglight area, risky when it's wet and if you got it through a big puddle you could hydraulic the engine

Fair comment Lee and something I hadnt even thought about

[ivesy]

Okay, so standard replacement, but what about forcing cold air?? Worth looking into? Plus I'm kind of attracted by the noise u get from open filters?

[ShepsEvo3]

Okay, so standard replacement, but what about forcing cold air?? Worth looking into? Plus I'm kind of attracted by the noise u get from open filters?

All depends on what kinda forced air you are thinking of. By that I mean is it going to be a repeatable amount of forced air against engine RPM or just a ram pipe from the front of your car funnelling air direct to your intake?

If its the latter, there are mixed results. 2nd and 3rd gear maybe good, but 4th and 5th may loose power as there maybe too much air getting in and as your AFM will already be at is most open position it will not be able to read anymore air flowing through, even though you are forcing it through at speed. So the map inside you ECU will not be compensated for that.

Usually an induction kit makes an engine sound nicer and can decieve your mind into thinking its actually going better too.

Forced cold air in the form of a turbo or suprcharger (one actually driven off the engine and not your battery) with air being forced through a large intercooler/chargecooler and a remap is the only real way of getting good gains but I fear we are getting away from your original "cold air intakes" question.

In my opinion, leave the air filter standard, just replace it. A good source of cold air from behind your front bumper is directed into your air filter box anyway. If you want to do anything, how about ceramic coating the outside of the air filter box , or putting heat wrap around your exhaust manifold and downpipe to reduce underbonnet temps? Or take a look at Sals options at Evolve as I believe his cold air carbon induction kits work. But I have not tested one myself.

Fore a cone filter.. you need to do as Eko has done with his. Plenty of cold air

[ivesy]

Cheers Sheps, wont bother, I want to turbo charge in time, someone's offered me a twin setup for a reasonable price. I'll wory about air after.